Displaced Gaza farmers turn to dirt near tents to grow crops 07.07.2026

Displaced farmers in Gaza are growing crops in small dirt patches near their tents due to the destruction of agricultural land by Israeli forces since October 2023. The systematic bulldozing and siege have devastated farmlands, which previously supported over 560,000 people and accounted for 10% of Gaza's economy. Farmers face severe shortages of water, seeds, and fertilizers, and accessing former fields is dangerous due to Israeli-designated "Yellow Line" zones. Experts, including Fadel El-Zubi of the FAO, describe this as a deliberate strategy to destroy Gaza's food system, creating forced dependence on aid. Agricultural production has plummeted from 405,000 to 28,000 tonnes annually, with over 94% of farmland destroyed, 4 million fruit trees uprooted, and 87% of wells damaged. The FAO's $75m appeal for recovery is less than 10% funded, yet farmers continue cultivating as a form of resistance.












